The Pediatric Sickle Cell Clinic came into existence in the early 1970s in conjunction with the Adult Clinic and the Comprehensive Center, funded by the National Institutes of Health. The Pediatric Clinic currently is funded by the Department of Human resources and is supported by the MCG Health System, functioning under the direction of the Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology/Oncology.

The clinic is held within the Ambulatory Care Center, on Harper Street, and is located on the 3rd floor. Patients are seen for routine care, education, and follow-up of special problems, Monday through Friday. They are seen in emergency situations at any time of the day or night by calling a member of the Pediatric Hematology group.

Children from birth into young adulthood are seen. Health maintenance and education are a routine part of care offered. Acute illnesses are seen in the clinic and when possible are managed as outpatients. The Children’s Medical Center can be directly and immediately accessed for emergency and more chronic care situations.

The Pediatric Clinic has been a participant in many clinical research projects, including the Stroke prevention studies.

Outreach clinics are scheduled for four cities across Georgia, with a total of 65 clinic dates being offered. These clinics meet in Dublin, Valdosta, Albany, Waycross, and Brunswick and are staffed by Dr. Virgil McKie. They are successfully coordinated through the efforts of Public Health Departments in conjunction with the Pediatric Sickle Cell staff.

The Pediatric Sickle Cell Clinic also serves as coordinator of informing, educating, and tracking for the newborn screening program for approximately 2/3 of the state of Georgia.

Services Offered:

• Screening and confirmation testing for sickle cell disease and carriers
• Ambulatory care for children with sickle cell disease, both for routine pediatric issues as well as sickle related problems.
• Collaborative care for surgical problems in the pediatric sickle cell population
• Referral to other MCG services, including dental clinic, surgery, orthopedics, neurology, nephrology, cardiology, and ophthalmology.
• Outpatient care of acute problems with admission to the Children’s Medical Center when necessary.
• Outpatient transfusion therapy for pre-operative preparation and within the Stroke Prevention guidelines.